Skolera LMS Bloghttps://blog.skolera.com
Educational Technology Articles and NewsThu, 21 Feb 2019 15:45:02 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.99 of the Best Apps for Teachers in 2019https://blog.skolera.com/2019/02/21/best-apps-for-teachers/
https://blog.skolera.com/2019/02/21/best-apps-for-teachers/#respondThu, 21 Feb 2019 15:15:13 +0000https://blog.skolera.com/?p=1104Because teaching can sometimes get repetitive and tiring, we bring to you the best apps for teachers that can help you make learning easier and fun. Here are 9 of the best apps for teachers inside and outside the classroom: 1) Kahoot! We know that practice makes perfect. However, most of the time, practice is …

]]>Because teaching can sometimes get repetitive and tiring, we bring to you the best apps for teachers that can help you make learning easier and fun.

Here are 9 of the best apps for teachers inside and outside the classroom:

1) Kahoot!

We know that practice makes perfect. However, most of the time, practice is boring. Kahoot! helps make this problem go away by providing a platform on which students can play games to practice their knowledge. Teachers can create new games or browse ready made ones to challenge students to practice and compete against each other. It is one the best apps for teachers that students also enjoy.

2) LiveBoard

There are a lot of interactive whiteboard apps out there, but LiveBoard is one of the very few ones that offers enough features in their free version. LiveBoard allows teachers to use their tablets or computers to create and share interactive whiteboards with an unlimited number of students. Teachers can draw as well as write, since LiveBoard is equipped with a handwriting recognition feature. The Pro version offers extra memory to save more whiteboards and an audio conference feature.

3) Pocket

While not exclusively for teachers, the Pocket app is the perfect solution for busy people who are always reading and using new resources and content. By integrating Pocket with almost any of your favorite devices or platforms, you can save and arrange all articles, videos, and other types of content all in one place. Pocket can also help you find engaging content according to your interest.

4) Epic! Unlimited Books for Kids

Reading is one of the main ways children can both learn new stuff and practice their languages. Epic! offers access to over 25,000 books for children ages 12 and under. While the membership is not generally free, Epic! Provides elementary school teachers and librarians with a free account using only their school email address. Teachers can then use this account to create children accounts that their students can access, but only in the classroom or school library.

5) TED

The least that can be said about TED is that it is a window into endless new ideas. TED is a nonprofit that is dedicated to spreading ideas about anything and everything. Specialists are welcomed at conferences all over the world to talk about their ideas in 18 minutes or less. Then, videos of those talks are shared on the platforms for anyone to see.

TED is a particularly useful platform for teachers for many reasons. For one, teachers can enhance their presentation skills by watching how other people present their ideas. Teachers can also share talks with their students to watch. Moreover, and most importantly, TED contains tens of videos that can be useful for teachers. For example, check out this playlist that contains 10 talks by inspiring teachers.

Our favorite is by a high school science teacher, Tyler DeWitt, who speaks about how important it is for science teachers to make their classrooms more fun!

6) Virtual Nerd

Even though Virtual Nerd mainly offers help to students, teachers can also find it useful. Virtual Nerd consists of a vast library of mathematics learning resources. Teachers will be able to find instructional videos about almost any middle or high school mathematics topic that can help them prepare their lesson plans. They can also use those videos to learn new ways to explain certain topics or to send them to students for revision.

7) Instructables

Containing tons of Do It Yourself projects, Instructables offers a special FREE Premium membership for teachers. Specifically useful for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) educators, you will find a useful tutorial about anything that comes to your mind from how to do origami to how to build a robot.

8) Desmos

Another platform that is dedicated to mathematics education, Desmos offers teachers the best math activities for their classrooms. While it is mainly a graphing calculator, it teaches students how to use the graphing calculator and how to learn about different mathematical topics using the graphing calculator.

Teachers can choose a certain activity and invite their students to solve it. Students can see their teacher’s feedback as well as collaborate to solve challenging questions.

9) Words With Friends

You might be familiar with Words With Friends because it is one of the most popular online games. However, if you think about it, you will realize that Words With Friends is a great way to learn new vocabulary. Instead of, for examples, encouraging students to check out the dictionary for learning new words, students can compete against each other in Words With Friends. Teachers can then ask students to discover a new word everyday and learn how it is used in sentences.

Skolera always brings you all the resources you need to help you as a teacher. Check out Skolera LMS to learn more about how it can help your educational institution. You can also check our blog regularly to follow the best practices and the latest technological advancements in education.

]]>https://blog.skolera.com/2019/02/21/best-apps-for-teachers/feed/0Skolera in 2018: What did we do?https://blog.skolera.com/2019/01/29/skolera-in-2018/
https://blog.skolera.com/2019/01/29/skolera-in-2018/#respondTue, 29 Jan 2019 12:38:56 +0000https://blog.skolera.com/?p=1072Last year has been a great year for us in Skolera – LMS. We have witnessed Skolera – LMS develop and we are proud of our updated features. We have also attended and help some of the most important EdTech events in the region. Moreover, we are honored to have new members in our community …

]]>Last year has been a great year for us in Skolera – LMS. We have witnessed Skolera – LMS develop and we are proud of our updated features. We have also attended and help some of the most important EdTech events in the region. Moreover, we are honored to have new members in our community that have purchased Skolera – LMS and share our passion in education.

Here’s a list of the conferences and events that Skolera has participated in:

AdvancED

At the beginning of 2018, Skolera – LMS participated in AdvancED conference in Riyadh. The conference had 800 attendees and was organized by more than 120 students.

The conference offered offer a wide array of workshops that covered topics on improvement and development of school education, technological integration, and classroom management. Check out the video below to know more about the conference.

Skolera-LMS was represented by Mr. Hesham Hammam (Marketing and Sales Manager of Skolera Middle East), who explained the main features of Skolera-LMS to the attendees.

Mr. Hesham Hammam while explaining the main features of Skolera learning managment system to the attendees

Skolera has also participated in Ta’leem 2018, the 6th Annual International Education Exhibition and Forum for Education which was held in Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. Ta’leem 2018 was focused on teaching and learning in early childhood, and it combined 135 institutions were exhibiting their products and service.

Skolera’s booth during the conference

The event included more than 60,000 attendees, who visited the exhibition, attended talks by 120 speakers, and participated in 91 workshops. It is considered the biggest educational even in Saudi Arabia.

Digital Transformation For Educational Institutions

Skolera-LMS works on gathering education enthusiasts everywhere. In May 2018, we held our first event in Kenya, a seminar titled Digital Transformation For Educational Institutions. The event was a great opportunity for the educational community in Kenya to gather and share their thoughts and experience in applying educational technologies. The seminar included 3 speakers who discussed the need for school management systems and adaptive learning.

Bahrain Tech Award 2018

Skolera won Bahrain Tech Award 2018 for its efforts to develop the educational process management in the schools. The award was given to companies that display creativity, innovation, relevance to industrial requirements, and suitability for the International markets. The award was received by Mr. Hesham Hammam who represented Skolera-LMS in the ceremony.

Mr. Hesham Hammam, receiving the award

Here is a list of the schools that have joined our community in 2018:

1. International Liberty School (ILS)

The school is located in Alexandria, Egypt. It offers national, American, and IGCSE tracks as it is accredited by CITA since 2008 and by Cambridge since 2014. The school is also accredited by AdvancED.

2. Modern American School of Egypt (MASE)

Located in Cairo, MASE offers KG to grade 12 students with American curriculums consistent with American standards.

Elite International Schools in Sohag has also joined our community this year. The Chairman, Mr. Ahmed Alkosyer, has signed a the contract for implementing Skolera – LMS in the school.

4. Roots International School (RIS)

We are also pleased to have RIS join our community. It will be using Skolera-LMS to manage all its educational processes.

Mr. Hisham Hammam, explaining the features of Skolera LMS to the Academic Director of the School, Ms. Rasha Al-Geyoushi, and the heads of academic departments

5. Capital International Schools – Cairo, Egypt

Capital International Schools are another member to join our community this year. Located in Cairo, Egypt, Capital includes an American department and a British one. Capital International Schools is a candidate for accreditation by AdvancED. It is also registered with Cambridge International Examination to teach programs and qualifications for Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Secondary 1.

6. Al Ibda’a Private School for Girls

Al Ibda’a School is one of the schools in Saudi Arabia that joined us this year. While it is accredited by AdvancED since 2012, Ibda’a School has just celebrated its 25th year this year. You can know more about Al Ibda’a School through our article.

7. Sinad City School for Special Education collaborating with Tatweer Education Holding

Sinad City is a one of a kind institution in Saudi Arabia that is specialized in Special Education. With the collaboration of Tatweer Education Holding, Sinad City provides education and services to special needs children from age 3 till 18. Sinad City has

8. Ja’alan Private School

Considered the first school in Omar to use Skolera-LMS, Ja’alan Private School joined our community this year. Mr. Hisham Hammam, our marketing director, visited the school and signed the contract with the chairman of Jalan school, Eng. Amer Al-Muta’ani.

Mr. Hisham with Mrs. Najla Al-Far, principal of the school

9. Al Omran Private School

Al Omran school is another school from Oman that has started implementing Skolera-LMS. Al Omran offers K-12 students both national and British curriculums.

10. Mainflow School

We have also acquired a new member to our community from Kenya. Mainflow School has successfully implemented Skolera-LMS.

Moreover, members from @iLabAfricavisited the school to train students on how to use the system.

Here are all the features of Skolera that have been added or updated in Version 5.6:

Lesson Plan

Skolera – LMS now offers teachers the option to build a lesson plan that is easily searchable and shareable. In less than 5 minutes, teachers can generate and build-up a lesson plan that fits their students and school. Unlike paper-based lesson plans, the ones on Skolera allow you to find the lessons you need instantly.

Grading System

This version of Skolera provides tool to create the grading systems that your school needs. Educators can build and tailor grading systems that are as intricate and detailed as they need them to be.

Admin Permissions

Skolera – LMS also added the Access Control List feature, which allows school management to control who can see and do what on the platform. Different users can be given different permissions and permission levels through the Access Control List by combining them to groups, each group given specific permissions. Individual users can also be granted extra permissions.

Question Bank

Skolera offers a new question bank where teachers can save all their quiz questions. Questions can be categorized according to subject, topic, type of question, and difficulty level. The question bank saves teachers time and effort by allowing them to import questions directly to the quizzes.

Mobile App

Skolera – LMS has also released a new mobile application for parents to help them monitor their children in a much easier way. The app allows parents to access their children’s attendance, assignments, exams, as well as contact their teachers. To know more about our mobile application, click here.

As you can see, it has been an eventful year for us. Check out Skolera LMS to learn more about how it can help your educational institution. You can also check our blog regularly to follow the best practices and the latest technological advancements in education.

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]]>https://blog.skolera.com/2019/01/29/skolera-in-2018/feed/0Al-Ibda’a Private Schools for Girls Celebrates 25 Years of Excellencehttps://blog.skolera.com/2019/01/17/ibdaa-schools-25-years/
https://blog.skolera.com/2019/01/17/ibdaa-schools-25-years/#respondThu, 17 Jan 2019 13:31:23 +0000https://blog.skolera.com/?p=1027On behalf of Skolera-LMS, we extend our congratulations to Al-Ibda’a Schools for completing 25 years of success, distinction, and excellence. Al-Ibda’a Private School for Girls has always been committed to delivering the highest standards of educational programs that encourage personal development and innovation. As the founder of As-Ibda’a Schools, Mrs. Raga’ Kalago, stressed, the schools are …

]]>On behalf of Skolera-LMS, we extend our congratulations to Al-Ibda’a Schools for completing 25 years of success, distinction, and excellence.

Al-Ibda’a Private School for Girls has always been committed to delivering the highest standards of educational programs that encourage personal development and innovation.

As the founder of As-Ibda’a Schools, Mrs. Raga’ Kalago, stressed, the schools are working on keeping up with the latest advancements in modern educational methods. She also clarified how the school prepares students. from childhood to high school, to face practical life through proper education, guidance, and extra curricular activities.

The school was founded in 1993 (1414 AH), and now it occupies 7000m2 in Gedda. It contains both national and international curriculums for all school years, providing all the options for students and parents.

School Facilities

Al-Ibda’a provides students with science laboratories that are equipped with modern tools that offer highest levels of safety. The schools also care about educating students technologically. The computer labs are equipped with all necessary material to prepare students technologically.

Science laboratories are an integral part of learning sciences properly. As students attend lab classes as well as traditional ones, they can have both strong scientific knowledge and understand how this knowledge can be applied and used.

Al-Ibda’a has joined the Skolera-LMS community this year to keep up with the latest educational technologies. To request a free trial of Skolera-LMS, press here.

Along with the excellent academic qualities, Al-Ibda’a also focuses on other aspects of students lives.

Al-Ibda’a school knows how important it is for its students to become responsible, well-rounded individuals who play their part in society. Therefore, inside the school campus, you will find a gym that is designed and supplied with instruments for many sports including basketball, football, tennis, climbing, and gymnastics.

Developing healthy, productive individuals does not only depend on strong education. Playing sports has been proven to have a lot of benefits on how individuals think and develop. Studies have shown that sports can increase concentration and enhance memory. Moreover, playing sports can have a huge effect on how people function in society as it can teach them discipline and teamwork.

Moreover, the school contains art rooms and a theatre. According to several studies, developing the artistic abilities of students does not only promote creativity but it also improves the process of mental development. It was also found to improve the psychological state of children and their ability to engage with other children.

International Certification

Starting 2012 (1434 AH), Al-Ibda’a started earning AdvancEd, a renowned international accreditation. AdvancED examines the “policies, programs, practices, learning conditions and cultural context” of schools in order to determine how those parts work together to “meet the needs of every learner”.

By acquiring this accreditation, Al-Ibda’a school joins a huge community of schools from more than 70 countries that strive to provide the best quality of education. Being accredited by AdvancED is the best assurance of academic excellence.

Quality Standard Management

In 2008 (1429 AH), Al-Ibda’a earned the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001) certification due to providing high quality services, system, and management. ISO 9001 ensures that institutions are responding to the requests of customers and following global management standards.

For a school, earning ISO 9001 means that management, staff, students, and parents are all part of a productive system where everyone is treated fairly. Therefore, by earning ISO 9001, Al-Ibda’a school succeeds in providing a community where everyone is both satisfied and doing their job.

Admission Policy

Firstly, Al-Ibda’a conforms to age standards that ensure that all students are prepared for the academic and social needs of each grade. The school also carries out an interview through which the student’s character and abilities are observed. Moreover, for higher grades, students are asked to sit for Arabic, English, and mathematics exams.

We congratulate Al-Ibda’a once more on 25 years full of excellence and success. We are proud of having Al-Ibda’a Schools within the Skolera community and we thank them for their trust in us.

Check out Skolera LMS to learn more about how it can help your educational institution. You can also check our blog regularly to follow the best practices and the latest technological advancements in education.

]]>https://blog.skolera.com/2019/01/17/ibdaa-schools-25-years/feed/0A Recap of 2018: What has been happening in EdTech?https://blog.skolera.com/2019/01/15/edtech-recap-2018/
https://blog.skolera.com/2019/01/15/edtech-recap-2018/#respondTue, 15 Jan 2019 12:38:49 +0000https://blog.skolera.com/?p=10112018 is over! A lot has been happening in EdTech. New educational technologies have been on the rise and achieving great results. We bring to you a summary of the state of EdTech in 2018 from the most significant published journal articles. 1- Let’s play a chemistry game! A study that was published last March …

]]>2018 is over! A lot has been happening in EdTech. New educational technologies have been on the rise and achieving great results. We bring to you a summary of the state of EdTech in 2018 from the most significant published journal articles.

1- Let’s play a chemistry game!

A study that was published last March focused on learning science through an interactive computer game. This game, called Say My Name, offers a fun and interactive way for high school and undergraduate students to review nomenclature of organic compounds, which is a system of naming compounds.

Providing more than 600 questions in various difficulties, the game allows students to practice without getting bored. Results and feedback came back significantly positive. While students were much more motivated to practice using the game, teachers and evaluators notices a significant increase in their results.

This study is important because it shows how effective educational games can be when designed with preciseness. Despite being simple and extremely focused, Say My Name has achieved exactly what educational games should do: increasing motivation and performance.

2- Are you tweeting in class?

While most research nowadays is focusing on the disadvantages of social media, this study is occupied with how to utilize social media in education. It explores how Twitter can be used in large-sized lectures to answer in-lecture quizzes and ask questions.

Results show that using Twitter motivates students to participate in class. They also show that Twitter provided the needed communication between lecturers and students in large-sized lectures where the lecturer can’t address each and every student. Moreover, students who did not attend the lecture were able to follow up and engage.

This is a great example of how to use the technology we already have in a beneficial way.

3- Let’s have fun but in other languages!

Educational games can also be utilized in learning languages. This study explores how students can learning English as a second language using an interactive game. The game consisted of different scenarios (traveling, finding a job, renting a house), where each scenario contained multiple tasks that students should perform. Those tasks required the students to use English language to interact with the scenarios and win the game.

The study found great feedback from both students and teachers. The realistic setting of the game motivated the students to work and made them feel more confident when speaking English in real life.

Along with improving their attitudes towards learning, educational games provide students with real opportunities to practice their skills and knowledge.

4- Let’s make sure everyone’s happy

EdTech is not only concerned with the process of learning and teaching, it is also playing a large role in assessments. A study that was published last August explored students’ perspectives on online exams.

Results showed that students had multiple concerns regarding shifting towards online assessments. For example, they were worried about the technology being less reliable than paper, and that they will not be able to use it. They also thoughts their exams will include only one type of questions (here, multiple choice questions). Moreover, they were concerned that the tests and test results will be less individualized.

These results were of great importance because the they showed where the challenges are in applying online exams, giving the opportunity to specialists and educators to find a way around them. They also showed that students are against online exams essentially because they don’t know enough about them.

We can benefit from the outcomes of this study in all EdTech. They show how important it is to understand students’ perspectives and how the focus should be on the students instead of the technology itself. Thus, they show that the priority should be given to informing the students and giving them enough time to warm up to new technologies that are being adopted.

5- Are you following the rules?

Research has also been covering areas concerning ethics and integrity of using technology in education. One paper explored the level of academic dishonesty among undergraduate students when taking an online course. This study focuses on several factors (students’ motivation, personality traits, cultural backgrounds, etc.) that can work as predictors of academic dishonesty within traditional and online courses.

Results show that students in online courses are less likely to engage in academic dishonesty than those in traditional ones. These results can be interpreted in several ways. For example, online courses are not obligatory, so students who take online courses are doing so by their choice. Therefore, those students are usually more motivated and achievement oriented. Another explanation is that it is harder to cheat on online platforms as they are usually designed to prevent cheating.

Either ways, those explorations into the ethical dimensions of using technology are as important as the technologies themselves. Ultimately, humanity needs ethics and integrity to survive and develop. Therefore, we need to look into the ways we behave.

6- Is this real life? Is this just fantasy?

The last study we look at here is a comparison between three modes of learning: traditional, video, and virtual reality (VR) . First year university students were randomly assigned to one of the learning methods, and their performance was observed.

Results were significantly in favor of VR learning. Students in the VR condition performed better than the ones learning by videos. They also portrayed improvement in their emotions towards their studies, unlike the other modes of learning.

After looking at various studies about different educational technologies, it is safe to say that the results are mostly positive. When used in the right way, technology can improve our lives. We believe that education is a great field for technology to impact, and the following years will prove us right. Check our blog regularly to follow the best practices and the latest technological advancements in education. You can also check out Skolera LMS to learn more about how it can help your educational institution.

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]]>https://blog.skolera.com/2019/01/15/edtech-recap-2018/feed/0Your Ultimate Exams Week Survival Guidehttps://blog.skolera.com/2018/12/23/exams-survival-guide/
https://blog.skolera.com/2018/12/23/exams-survival-guide/#respondSun, 23 Dec 2018 10:58:25 +0000https://blog.skolera.com/?p=943Exams are almost here! Whether you are a teacher, a student , a head of department (HOD), or a parent, I bet this previous statement is not pleasant for you. Exams week is always stressful and exhausting. That’s why we created an ultimate guide for all parties involved. Find out how to survive this tough …

]]>Exams are almost here! Whether you are a teacher, a student , a head of department (HOD), or a parent, I bet this previous statement is not pleasant for you. Exams week is always stressful and exhausting. That’s why we created an ultimate guide for all parties involved. Find out how to survive this tough time while achieving the best results.

For Students:

As students are the center of the educational process, we have created this infographicto help them get through. Share it with your students/children to help them get the most out of their exams week.

For Teachers:

1) Know your students and their level

While exams are one of the main methods used to evaluate students, you, as their teacher, need to have an idea about their level beforehand. Whether by observing them in class or looking at previous quizzes grades, you can get an estimate throughout the semester. You can then create exams that are neither too easy or too difficult.

2) Make sure students know the content of the exam

Make students aware of exactly what they will be examined in. Give them a list of topics or of the units in the book that they need to study. This will give them a sense of the time needed to study, and they will be able to use it as a checklist.

If you are going to focus on a certain topic while creating the exam, let the students know. There is no point in tricking them. At the end of the day, the purpose is to motivate them and develop their knowledge and skills. Therefore, bring them in the loop and share with them what the exam will look like.

3) Guide your students through studying, but make them do the work

Studying is a skill that students can get better or worse at. Therefore, you can help students through this process by showing them how to study. Let them know about different studying techniques according to their learning styles. Show them where to search for solutions if they are stuck, and be there to answer their questions. Skolera LMS offers a messaging system between students and teachers. Students can use it to ask you questions when they need help.

However, beware. It is easy to take this a step further and start doing more than you should. For example, solving some questions with the students before the exam, then getting those questions in the exam, will not benefit the students. They will just repeat the same answer and will not use their analytical skills. It will also not show you their actual level of comprehension and their ability to perform. Therefore, it is important to keep a balance.

For HODs:

1) Be prepared

HODs and supervisors have a lot of responsibilities, and sometimes they vary from a school to another. The most common between all those tasks is being in charge. Students, teachers, and parents all go to HODs and supervisors with different inquiries and issues. Therefore, in a critical time like exams week, the only thing they can do is be prepared.

Organize the exam schedule so that it doesn’t clash with anything else as important. You can create this schedule using Skolera LMS. You will be able to see them in day, week, and month view, to have an overall perspective of what is going on in your school.

You should also be ready with solutions and answers to everyone’s requests. Finish all the tasks (that are not related to exams) before the examination period starts. And, most importantly, keep in mind that schools are usually hectic, so be as mentally and emotionally prepared as possible until it passes.

2) Communicate

Every school has a different system of communication. It is important to know how to use this system effectively. Make sure everyone knows their responsibilities and duties so that everything works as smoothly as possible. As a HOD or a supervisor, you can have a lot to do. Don’t shy away from asking for help. Assign some tasks to others if you need to.

Skolera LMS offers multiple options to facilitate communication within schools. For example, HODs can send and receive messages to and from any of the members of the classes they supervise. They can also post announcements to all members of a certain course if they need to deliver a quick memo.

This may sound like an intuitive thing to do. You probably know when your children have exams, but do you know details? Do you know when are the exact test dates? What about final paper deadlines? Are there certain subjects that they are struggling with?

To be able to give proper support to your child, you need to know more than just the fact that it’s exams week. Understanding their situation on a deeper level will also make them feel like you can relate to them, which will help them get through.

2) Be a source of encouragement, not a source of stress

We know you want the best for them. We know you want them to get high grades. Getting them worried is not the way. Many parents think that pressuring their children to study more is the right thing to do. However, this either creates a mood of reluctance or one of anxiety. Some children will feel like they study for their parents, believing the high grades they might get to be rewarding for their parents more than themselves. Other students will get too stressed and anxious to be able to study effectively.

In both situations, pressuring children to study will be counterproductive. Parents should instead encourage their children. Show them that success feels good and that getting high grades will feel rewarding. Let them take responsibility of their work. What if your child gets a bad grade? It will be a consequence that they are dealing with. This way, they can learn from their mistakes and work harder next time.

3) Provide them with a comfortable, relaxing place to study

Having a designated desk or table to sit at while studying can help them focus and be organized. Try to make the chair they sit on comfortable and upright. Students also need a quiet atmosphere to concentrate and have a clear mind. Therefore, postponing family gatherings and visits till after exams week can be helpful. You should also try to limit different distraction at the time of studying, like other siblings playing or loud TV sound.

Follow this list to help you get through exams week. Check our blog regularly to follow the best practices and the latest technological advancements in education. You can also check out Skolera LMS to learn more about how it can help your educational institution.

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]]>https://blog.skolera.com/2018/12/23/exams-survival-guide/feed/03 Discussion-based teaching methods and strategies and how to carry them outhttps://blog.skolera.com/2018/12/04/discussion-based-teaching-methods/
https://blog.skolera.com/2018/12/04/discussion-based-teaching-methods/#respondTue, 04 Dec 2018 11:31:45 +0000https://blog.skolera.com/?p=913Has teaching become a routine? You prepare the lesson, explain it to the students, help them solve some problems about it, then repeat. Trying out new teaching methods can energize the students and break the monotony of the classroom. While modern teaching methods can sometimes be unavailable or unaffordable, you can apply discussion-based teaching methods …

]]>Has teaching become a routine? You prepare the lesson, explain it to the students, help them solve some problems about it, then repeat. Trying out new teaching methods can energize the students and break the monotony of the classroom. While modern teaching methods can sometimes be unavailable or unaffordable, you can apply discussion-based teaching methods in your classroom right away.

Teachers may know the material more than students, but they are no longer expected to do all the talking. Studies have been in favor of approaches that require classroom dialogue and discussion. Discussion-based teaching methods were found to “internalize the knowledge and skills” that students need to perform tasks on their own and increase their comprehension of the material.

Carrying out a class discussion effectively can be tricky. It is difficult to make everyone listen and to not drift away from the main purpose of the discussion.

That’s why we have some tips that can help in your discussion-based teaching strategies:

Plan ahead

Prepare the topics beforehand. Never go to class without knowing what you want to talk about. Time can fly (especially when you don’t want it to), and, before you know it, you’ve spent half the class brainstorming for ideas. You can share the topic ahead of class using Skolera LMS so that students can think about the discussion before it begins.

For a much more functional discussion, prepare a list of questions for your topics. Sometimes, discussions reach a dead end much earlier than you thought they would. Therefore, it is smart to be ready with questions that can stimulate the discussion back to life.

Create a safe space

Speaking up can be intimidating for a lot of students. That’s why it’s important to work on making everyone comfortable. Know your students and call them by their names to make them feel valuable and gain their trust.

Keep in mind that, while some students are more comfortable listening, others want to speak and ask but feel shy. So make sure to always encourage them to ask questions and have their questions answered.

Other students avoid participating because they don’t want to say a wrong answer. To have a healthy discussion, students need to feel comfortable sharing what’s on their mind. Therefore, listen carefully to everyone and show respect to all questions and remarks.

Set some rules

Students, especially younger ones, can get out of control. For instance, if teachers give them a bit of freedom to move in class, they will start running around in no time. Discussions can be risky in a class full of active students, so you need to be careful and focused. Here is an infographicwith some rules for students to follow during class discussions. You can print it out and hang it in class.

Be a moderator, not a manager

Balancing between having the discussion under control and controlling the discussion is necessary. If the students express opinions opposing yours, do not force your opinions on them.

Stay objective and show the available objective evidence when there is conflict. This way, students will be free to construct their own arguments to support their claims and dispute others’.

Sometimes, students have a lot to say about topics that the teachers don’t know about. Try to integrate their remarks into the discussion.

It is also very useful to consistently summarize the main points discussed and have them written on the board. It will prevent the discussion from going off topic or in circles and provide a summary of the discussion at the end of class. Skolera LMS can help you share those points with students. This way, they will reflect over the discussion and may come up with new ideas when they think about it outside of the classroom. You can try Skolera LMS for free to check all the ways it can help in your classroom. Here is an overview on the teacher’s interface of Skolera LMS.

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Discussion-based activities develop students both academically and personally. As they learn about the material through research, exploration, and discussion, they also learn how to work in a team, encourage them to speak in public, and enhance their individual achievements. Check our blog regularly to follow the latest technological advancements in education. You can also check out Skolera LMS to learn more about how it can help your educational institution.

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]]>https://blog.skolera.com/2018/12/04/discussion-based-teaching-methods/feed/03 Trending Educational Technologies You Need to Know abouthttps://blog.skolera.com/2018/11/18/trending-educational-technologies/
https://blog.skolera.com/2018/11/18/trending-educational-technologies/#commentsSun, 18 Nov 2018 10:52:27 +0000https://blog.skolera.com/?p=861Technology has been exponentially growing throughout the past couple of decades. Everything is being digitized, and the field of education is not an exception. Inside and outside the classroom, students use technology to interact with each other, their teachers, and the material they are learning. Something new comes out everyday, making it hard to keep …

]]>Technology has been exponentially growing throughout the past couple of decades. Everything is being digitized, and the field of education is not an exception. Inside and outside the classroom, students use technology to interact with each other, their teachers, and the material they are learning. Something new comes out everyday, making it hard to keep up.

Therefore, we show you here what some of the trendiest educational technologies are and how they are being used.

1. Augmented reality

It has become impossible to distinguish reality from illusion, and sometimes this is not a bad thing. Sometimes, we need to see rare, costly, far away, or simply fictional things, and augmented reality (AR) can deliver them to us. AR is a technology that adds computer-generated elements to real images being viewed from cameras of digital devices. One of the most famous implementations of AR technology is Pokémon GO, released in 2016.

Ever since, the industry of AR has been growing rapidly and is expected to reach 1 billion users by 2020. It has also been one of the recent educational technologies. The field happens to have a need for AR and a potential for it to grow. Objects that are hard to imagine or see can be turned into 3D models. For example, objects that are too big or too small to see by the naked eye can be easily modeled and interacted with through a smartphone. Students who learn visually can view 3D models of molecules, cells, and the solar system.

Hagustin [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia CommonsAR can also illustrate concepts that are hard to imagine like what is a magnetic field and how it works. Moreover, students can also use AR to know information about what they view through the camera. For instance, students on field trips to museums can use AR as guides. The following video, from the American Museum of Natural History in New York, provides an example for how AR technology can enhance the experience of visiting a museum.

2. Cloud computing

Our devices no longer contain all our data; they are only the means to access this data. Cloud computing is one of the technological trends that has been on the rise in conducting businesses because of its clear advantages: flexibility, accessibility, and cost-efficiency. Being able to access the cloud from anywhere, at anytime, has changed the way work is conducted. It is also changing the way educational systems are functioning.

Skolera – LMS mobile app for parents

Cloud-based learning managements systems (LMS) provide this opportunity for educational institutions. Connecting students, teachers, administration, and parents to each other, an LMS combines everyone’s efforts while providing each member with a unique experience that fits their needs. Using a cloud-based LMS like Skolera LMS can help improve the educational experience at your institution. You can get a free trial version to try it for yourself and to keep up with the newest educational technologies.

3. Game-based learning

The obsession of children with video games has been causing panic. In the middle east, it has been found that, out of 10 children who play video games, 4 do so on daily basis. While the fear is sensible, there is another way to look at the issue as games can also be considered educational technologies. Game-based learning is delivering the educational material through elements of games: setting goals and missions, repetition of tasks until mastered, and gaining skills and knowledge along the way. The game considers chapters of the curriculum as levels, and students can compete against each just like they do in regular games.

Along with learning the material, these games can develop a lot of other skills for the students. By trying to pass a level, students learn problem solving and critical thinking skills, thinking ahead and outside the box. Game-based learning also exposes them to real-life skills. For example, some games require reading a map or managing a financial account. Moreover, video games were found to help students who struggle with concentration. Game-based learning can then be a great solution for children who find difficulty concentrating in a traditional classroom environment.

Technology has been changing the educational system drastically. Great solutions are now available for everyone and easy to use. Check our blog regularly to follow the latest technological advancements in education. You can also check out Skolera LMS to learn more about how it can help your educational institution.

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]]>https://blog.skolera.com/2018/11/18/trending-educational-technologies/feed/1Skolera LMS Releases a New Mobile Application for Parentshttps://blog.skolera.com/2018/08/15/skolera-lms/
https://blog.skolera.com/2018/08/15/skolera-lms/#respondWed, 15 Aug 2018 14:50:23 +0000http://blog.skolera.com/?p=837Today’s world is witnessing unprecedented speed in technological advancement and distribution in every aspect of life. The vast majority of people and organizations have become dependent on mobile apps on a daily basis, thanks to the efficiency with which these apps handle various tasks and the time they save, As we created Skolera LMS we …

]]>Today’s world is witnessing unprecedented speed in technological advancement and distribution in every aspect of life. The vast majority of people and organizations have become dependent on mobile apps on a daily basis, thanks to the efficiency with which these apps handle various tasks and the time they save, As we created Skolera LMS we have realized this increasing demand for mobile apps.

So what are the benefits of using mobile apps?

Interactivity

Studies have shown that students grasp much more of the material taught when they use smart devices. This is because anything technology-related attracts them, making comprehension easier.

Distribution

Most students own smart devices or advanced mobile phones today, with costs of such devices being relatively low in comparison to computers. This is an important feature that is exclusive to smartphones and tablets.

Flexibility

People can learn at the rate or speed that suits them. They usually place a priority on the educational subjects they love, depending on their preferences, level of understanding, and free time.

Continuity

Learning with mobile phones guarantees a continuous educational process and more knowledge and skills gained, from childhood to a later age, whether in the class and during school or outside and during the vacation.

Ease

In addition to the ease of connecting to the internet from anywhere, there are numerous apps and tools that make learning with mobile devices easier and allow users to interact with others and share files with them.

Skolera LMS provides the required and suitable virtual environment for an easy educational experience through the following features:

The teacher can prepare school assignments, evaluate students with online exams, and contact teachers and students through the internet.

Students can send school assignments immediately, solve short exams online, and download sources and beneficial content.

Parents can follow their children’s performance and school news and events.

Heads of departments can prepare curriculum and follow up on the educational process according to the timeline and plan that have been set.

The Skolera LMS team is focused on constant improvement and development. That is why the Skolera mobile app is now available to parents to follow up on all the notifications and information regarding their children anywhere and anytime.

The app offers important information for parents, including their children’s attendance and homework and exams assigned. It also allows them to receive messages from their child(ren)’s teachers.

Parents can download the app from the app store under the name “Skolera.” They will then be required to enter the following information, which the user can obtain from the school administration or the Skolera LMS team:

School code

Username

Password

By signing in, parents will find the main menu, which shows the children that are under their supervision. They can select the child whose performance they wish to follow up on. The screen will display the child’s name, his/her picture, grade level, number of homework and exams assigned, and the number of activities he/she participates in.

The main menu

To view more details on the child’s performance, parents can simply click on the child’s photo. The left side of the screen will display the number of badges the child has received, and the right side will display message notifications from the child’s teachers. The bottom of the screen will display the following:

Attendance

The Time Table

Grades

Behavior Notes

Screen displaying details

Parents can then click on each heading to see more information.

Grades table

Timetable

We hope you’ve benefited from this quick glimpse of the Skolera mobile app that briefly explained how parents can follow up on their children’s performance easily and efficiently, and how they can remain in contact with their teachers.

]]>https://blog.skolera.com/2018/08/15/skolera-lms/feed/0Active learning and its Effect on Student’s Character Developmenthttps://blog.skolera.com/2018/06/20/active-learning/
https://blog.skolera.com/2018/06/20/active-learning/#respondWed, 20 Jun 2018 10:04:21 +0000http://blog.skolera.com/?p=821Active learning is an educational philosophy that relies on enhancing the role of the learner in the educational process. Active learning involves all educational actions and teaching processes that aim at enabling the learner. In this method of learning, learning itself takes place through work, research, and experimentation. It relies on the learner depending on …

]]>Active learning is an educational philosophy that relies on enhancing the role of the learner in the educational process. Active learning involves all educational actions and teaching processes that aim at enabling the learner. In this method of learning, learning itself takes place through work, research, and experimentation. It relies on the learner depending on him/herself in obtaining information and gaining skills.

Active learning does not focus on memorization, but on developing thought and problem-solving skills, in addition to teamwork and cooperation. The focus of active learning is not on acquiring new information, but on the way and method by which the student acquires information, skills, and values.

Foundations of Active Learning:

Active learning is based on several foundations. They include:

Teaching students based on their own individual speeds of learning, with self-evaluation and peer-evaluation.

Providing communication between students and teachers.

Allowing students to exercise self-management to provide a safe and enjoyable environment.

Features of Active Learning:

It encourages students to work more and increase the variety of their work, as it develops their thinking and research skills.

It develops social relations between students and with their educator.

It gets students used to following the rules of work and develops direction and production values in them.

It helps create interaction between the students and encourages positive competition.

The Role of the Teacher and Learner in Active Learning

First: The Role of the Teacher:

The role of the teacher changes in active learning, as he/she is no longer the only source of information, but rather the guide and enabler of learning. He/she has no control over the student’s learning as is the case in traditional learning, but he/she manages the educational process wisely. He/she prepares the students for and helps them gradually with their new roles, and helps them acquire life skills and characteristics. The teacher also transfers his/her experience to the students to elevate them as learners.

From here we realize that active learning requires the teacher to perform the following roles:

Use several educational activities and methods according to the students’ capabilities and learning styles. A variety of duties and delegated tasks are assigned to the students, providing each of them with a duty or task suitable for his/her capabilities and abilities.

Be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the students to provide them with opportunities for more success.

Provide a variety of teaching methods to be used in the classroom, relying on active learning rather than lecturing. This is to help guarantee a suitable method of teaching that fits each student’s style of learning.

Focus the effort on guiding and supporting students in achieving the objectives of learning, rather than having them memorize. Teach them how to think, not what to think.

Motivate students to learn, discover, and experiment, making them active in the educational process.

Challenge the students and motivate them to their full potential.

Work with colleagues and coworkers to encourage others to take on active learning as a method.

Second: The Role of the Learner

Given the focus of active learning on the participation of the learner, we can identify the role of the learner in active learning as follows:

Students participate in the planning and delivery of the lesson.

Students search for information through various sources on their own.

Students participate in self-evaluation.

Students participate in a variety of learning activities.

Students participate in group work with their classmates.

Students present questions, ideas, new insight, or comments on the material taught.

Students can debate and discuss, as well as manage the discussion.

Active Learning Strategies

1- Dialogue and Discussion Strategy

Dialogues are one strategy for active learning. They involve organized discussions that rely on the exchange of ideas, opinions, and experiences between individuals in the lesson. They aim at developing thinking skills in the learners through the evidence they present to support their positions.

Features of Dialogue

It supports student comprehension of the educational material.

It increases interaction and cooperation of the students in the process, and it increases their self-confidence.

It provides instant feedback to the students on their knowledge and understanding.

It provides learners the opportunity to utilize their thinking, listening, and communication skills.

It enhances the spirit of cooperation and competition between the students and prevents monotony and boredom.

It provides the opportunity to inquire about new ideas.

It helps the teacher take the individual student differences into consideration.

It provides the learner with numerous skills such as constructing ideas, explaining and summarizing, manners in dialogue and discussions and respecting other opinions.

It creates interaction between the students and the teacher and opens channels of communication inside the classroom.

It provides the learners with opportunities to express their opinions and points of view and exchange ideas through explanation and comments.

2- Brainstorming Strategy

Brainstorming is a strategy of teaching that relies on asking students for their ideas and participation. This strategy works well while preparing students for a reading, discussion, or writing of a topic.

The Importance of the Brainstorming Strategy:

Developing innovative solutions to problems. This helps students innovate.

Enticing student interest and thought in the educational process and develop self-confidence and independence.

Affirming the essential concepts delivered in the lesson and ensuring students grasped the main ideas.

Determining the level of understanding of the students regarding the concepts and principles, and determining their preparedness to move on to the next step.

3- Problem Solving Strategy

Providing the required conditions to let students discover information on their own rather than receiving it prepared in a book and from a teacher. This aims at making the learner a discoverer of knowledge through problem-solving, and not a consumer of it.

Focusing on teaching the student how to think and how to organize his/her thoughts and manage the discussion.

Utilizing questions that activate and motivate thinking, to train the student on arriving at the correct answers on his/her own.

Strengthening the relationship of harmony and familiarity between the students and the teachers?

Achieving student independence and making him/her more capable of accepting new experiences, searching, discovering, criticizing, and becoming more innovative.

This method is adaptable to life, as facing problems and finding solutions are experiences an individual faces in his/her daily life.

Enabling students to evaluate their work and provides them with feedback on their performance and how much they’ve advanced toward the solution.

Problem-solving steps can be summarized as follows:

Identifying the problem

Collecting information on the problem

Suggesting solutions to the problem

Discussing the proposed solutions to the problem

Reaching the ideal solution to the problem

Implementing the conclusion in new situations

4- Discovery Strategy

This strategy relies on the student acquiring the information on his/her own, relying on his/her effort and thinking. This strategy is considered one of the most important strategies in developing thinking skills. Learning through discovery has two categories:

Guided Discovery

In this form, teachers guide students through the discovery process with a group of questions and directions.

Free Discovery:

In this form, the teacher does not provide any guidance or directions but allows the students complete freedom to learn from their mistakes.

5- Cooperative Learning Strategy

Cooperative learning is a method of learning in which students are split into small groups, each containing varying levels of skills and varying talents. The groups are given a task that must be completed.

Among the most important features of cooperative learning:

It provides opportunities to guarantee learners’ success through the exchange of ideas.

It provides the student with the opportunity to learn through thinking, speaking, and listening with others.

It provides the student with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss ideas with his/her peers.

It instills the values of teamwork and responsibility to the group.

6- Self-Learning Strategy

This strategy encourages the learner to learn on his/her own with his/her own abilities, talents, and interests and at his/her own time. The learner becomes responsible for his level of success and understanding.

]]>https://blog.skolera.com/2018/06/20/active-learning/feed/0How can an institution obtain academic accreditation?https://blog.skolera.com/2018/04/01/how-to-get-academic-accreditation/
https://blog.skolera.com/2018/04/01/how-to-get-academic-accreditation/#respondSun, 01 Apr 2018 09:32:15 +0000http://blog.skolera.com/?p=809What is Academic Accreditation The concept of academic accreditation is driven by the global and local demand for performance and quality standards in the educational process. Academic accreditation has become one of the most important issues in the educational community around the world, as it is essential for the improvement of all elements of the …

The concept of academic accreditation is driven by the global and local demand for performance and quality standards in the educational process. Academic accreditation has become one of the most important issues in the educational community around the world, as it is essential for the improvement of all elements of the educational process.

Academic accreditation as a term has arisen as a result of the numerous changes around the world and the rise of quality concepts in educational organizations. Also is considered to be a group of procedures taken to determine the strengths and weaknesses of an educational organization, based on which the organization is accredited or not as a reputable place of learning. The purpose of accreditation is to improve the quality of learning and provide organizations with proven quality education with recognition.

Educational organizations around the world are facing increasing pressure to obtain accreditation for various reasons, including acceptance of their certificates and student assessment, and so that it may be dealing with other organizations, both locally and internationally.

Another primary goal of academic accreditation is to ensure the public that the educational programs are reliable and achieve the desired results. It also helps provide the society with an educated workforce that is prepared for the job market.

The academic accreditation of schools helps to adopt more advanced educational curricula, which reflects positively on the quality of education offered to students

The Importance of Academic Accreditation

The educational organization can identify its strengths and weaknesses and work to improve the quality of education in provides by reviewing its plans and curriculum.

Spreading the principles of accountability and responsibility in education.

Empower parents and specialists to follow all the reports related to their student’s performance in the school.

Types of Academic Accreditation in Education

1- Institutional Accreditation

Institutional accreditation evaluates the performance of an educational institution as a whole and certifies that it can provide educational services based on specific criteria. Institutional accreditation is considered the basis for any other form of accreditation. It is also considered an essential step in ensuring the completion of an educational institution’s components has been provided. Institutional accreditation then leads to academic accreditation.

Institutional accreditation is given on the bases of architectural standards, lab preparations, required educational methods, libraries, general and managerial services, and employee affairs, in addition to academic standards pertaining to educational programs for teachers and students.

2- Academic Program Accreditation

Academic program accreditation is the next step after institutional accreditation. This form of accreditation is only given to schools after one year since the first class has graduated to ensure full detailed evaluation of the curriculum at all grade levels, the teaching staff and their credentials, and the students.

Academic program accreditation certifies the school’s academic program’s effectiveness and acknowledges that it meets the accrediting organization’s quality standards.

There are several types of academic program accreditations. Some types focus only on specific areas, stages, or subjects while others focus on all aspects of a school’s academic program.

Skolera LMS is one of the top 20 learning management systems in February of this year, according to eLearning Industry, and is considered one of the most famous learning management systems in the Middle East as a result of its holistic approach to all the aspects of the learning process.

3- Professional Accreditation

Professional accreditation focuses on the professional level of an individual and his/her eligibility to teach. An accrediting organization tests the individual and ensures his/her knowledge and skills are up to its standards before granting the certificate.

How Can an Educational Institution Gain Academic Accreditation

Any educational institution can gain accreditation with the following five stages:

Self-Study: Any educational institution that wishes to gain accreditation should create a committee that prepares a detailed and comprehensive study on all components, programs, and plans of a school and prepares a future plan to develop and improve the school’s effectiveness, in light of the accrediting organization’s standards. This is to be considered a self-evaluation that highlights the strengths and weaknesses and presents a plan to resolve the weaknesses, to be presented to the accrediting organization.

External Evaluation: The accrediting organization forms a committee that reviews the documents it received from the educational institution, and confirms the documents’ authenticity and honesty.

Field Visits: The accrediting organization’s committee creates a specialized team that visits the educational institution. The team carries out interviews and confirms the quality level of the education provided by the institution. The team also confirms the truth of the documents presented earlier. A report is then sent to the accrediting organization.

The Final Decision: After confirming that the educational institution matches the standards required by the accrediting organization, a final decision is taken whether to accredit the institution for a given period of time or not.

Continuous Evaluation and Accreditation Renewal: Accreditation and evaluation are renewed periodically to ensure the quality of an educational institution’s services. The previous steps are repeated whenever the time for renewal comes.
Accreditation is renewed to ensure the quality of education of the institution, and the process is repeated whenever the time for renewal comes to confirm that the institution still meets the standards.

The Major Academic Accreditation Organizations

International Baccalaureate Organization (IB): IB is a nonprofit educational organization based in Geneva and was founded in 1968. The organization created the primary education program PYP, the intermediate program MYP, and the secondary program, also known as the diploma program, DP and The organization covers more than 3,500 schools in 144 countries and is a consulting organization for the UN.

Advance-ED:Advance-ED is considered the largest educational organization in the world, serving more than 30,000 schools, both public and private, in the US and in more than 70 other countries. The organization is considered a global leader in educational advancement through the improvement of schools and their accreditation. Advance-ED has more than 100 years of experience and is based in the United States of America.

LMS and how it will help your school

Maintaining a high quality of education is always the main goal of all parties of the educational process. Competition and technological advancement have compelled these parties to search for and find tools that help evaluate students or teachers and provide the teacher and parents with confidence in the educational process.

Skolera LMS found the solution for creating student progress and performance reports, as well as reports pertaining to the inputs and outputs of the educational process, making it easier for educational institutions to present the data required to accrediting organizations, including Advance-ED, IB, Cambridge, and Edexcel.